Fresh out of law school and desperate for work, idealistic rookie Rudy Baylor takes on a powerful insurance company accused of denying a dying boy’s claim. Teaming up with a scrappy, unlicensed paralegal, he finds himself in a David-versus-Goliath courtroom battle that tests his ethics, courage, and belief in justice.
Coppola has never been particularly known for his comic touch, but here he seems bent on leavening the melodrama with as many laughs as possible, and they are generally honest and well-earned.
– Todd McCarthy,
Variety,
9 Jun 2008
fresh:
This competent, anonymous legal drama (scripted by Michael Herr) is the best John Grisham adaptation yet.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
9 Feb 2006
fresh:
Coppola adapted the novel himself, and he's done a good job of paring it down.
– Ruthe Stein,
San Francisco Chronicle,
18 Jun 2002
fresh:
Coppola has infused The Rainmaker with enough humor, character, honest emotion and storytelling style to make it one of the year's most entertaining movies.
– Jack Mathews,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb 2001
fresh:
Satisfactory mainstream entertainment, with a handful of major actors in juicy minor roles tossed in for good measure.